Raymond Harvey

Raymond Harvey

Raymond Harvey was born March 1, 1920, to Fannie and Frank Harvey. He grew up in Sulphur, Oklahoma, but eventually graduated high school in Oklahoma City in 1939. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army.

Raymond Harvey’s military career began in June 1944 as a combat infantryman. For his efforts during World War II, he was recognized for extreme gallantry in combat against the enemy, for which he was awarded the second highest medal of the United States Army, the Distinguished Service Cross, along with two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts, for injuries sustained during battle.

He was honorably discharged from the Army upon the surrender of the German Army in 1945. He later joined the Army Reserves in 1947 and was recalled to active duty in 1948.

In July 1950, as the captain of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, Harvey was part of the amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea, during the Korean War. He took command of Company “C” of the regiment when the company commander was wounded in action before the Chinese crossed the Yalu River into Korea, forcing the 7th Division to retreat south.

When the regiment began moving to the north again, Company “C” became the lead attack unit on “Hill 1232.” After his company was pinned down by the enemy, Captain Harvey moved forward to wipe out multiple enemy machine gun crews, displaying supreme bravery. During this time, he was wounded by a bullet close to his chest, but never stopped. He sighted another enemy “pill box” and took out the crew with a single grenade. He refused any medical attention until he was certain his company had complete control of the hill.

In 1951, Captain Harvey was awarded the military’s highest and most prestigious award, the Medal of Honor. President Harry S. Truman presented the award. Captain Harvey was one 146 recipients of the Medal of Honor, and one of three Native Americans to receive the award, during the Korean War.

Captain Harvey served as technical advisor for the 20th Century Fox feature film Fixed Bayonets, which depicted his exploits in Korea. He also served as technical advisor for two more war films, Cease Fire in 1953 and Verboten in 1959.

He retired from the military in 1962, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He later served as Director of Indian Affairs for the Arizona State Emergency Services before retiring in 1981. Lt. Colonel Raymond Harvey died in 1996 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with complete honors. In 2010, Lt. Colonel Harvey was posthumously inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.